Autumn 2024

From the Founders

Summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime! People are busy raising puppies and kittens, getting them to their new homes, and having adventures.

If you’d like to see something included, drop us a note, we’re always open to ideas. And if you‘ve written something on natural dog or cat care, we love including guest articles!

Have a safe and pleasant summer!

Paula & Krystal
 

In this Issue:

Safe Summertime Fun

Breeder Spotlight: Meghan Leah Waals of Elysian Bengals

Essential Oil Profile: Insect Repellent Oils

Homeopathy Highlight: Fading Puppy Syndrome

Safe Summertime Fun

By Krystal L. Beers, C.S.A.N.

Summer adventures are afoot and traveling with your sweet companions is fun!

There are simple precautions to take to protect your precious dogs while they accompany you. The main one is to never leave Rex or Poppy in the car, not even while you do errands!

Canine sweat glands are found only on their nose and foot pads. Dogs regulate their body temperature primarily by panting, which, truth be told, isn't terribly efficient!

Thus, in a relatively short period of time an overheated dog can suffer severe, irreversible damage to the brain, heart, liver, and nervous system.

The temperature in a closed vehicle, even with the windows cracked, can reach dangerous levels in no time flat. Take a look at this:

Vehicle Temp Inside

Outside 10 min.30 min.

70F 89104

75 94109

80 99114

85104119

90109124

95114129

Frightening.

Please, do not leave your dog in a vehicle! In many states, it’s actually illegal. Unless you can take your dog inside the store with you, it is better he remain safely at home.

Double-coated breeds or breeds that originated from hot climates can handle the sun and higher temperatures better. However, they still wear a coat that they can’t take off, so be careful and cautious.

Some folks mistakenly believe that a short coat will keep their dog cooler in summer, but the reality is a dog has less protection from the sun's intense heat.

For exercise and other outdoor activities, try to do these in the cooler parts of the day, like morning or evening. On those wicked hot days it’s better for both of you to just lay low and keep as cool as possible! Make sure to provide a shady spot to help your dog cool down, take frequent breaks, have plenty of water, and watch them carefully for signs of heat stress/stroke.

Heat Stroke

Speaking of heat stroke… normally a dog’s body temperature is somewhere between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, slightly higher than for humans.

A dog will start to experience heatstroke at over 105 degrees. At around 106 to 108 degrees, organ damage can occur. Always keep a rectal thermometer handy for your dog and check his temperature if you suspect heatstroke.

Here are some signs to be on the lookout for:

•Excessive panting

•Excessive thirst

•Glazed eyes

•Hyperventilation

•Increased salivation

•Dry gums that are pale or grayish

•Bright or dark red tongue or gums

•Rapid or erratic pulse

•Weakness

•Staggering

•Seizures

•Confusion

•Inattention

•Vomiting

•Diarrhea

•Collapse

Visit http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/can-my-dog-get-heat-stroke/ to read what you can do if your dog does have heatstroke.

Water needs normally increase in the heat of summer. Make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times. This is a given at any time of year, but especially in warm temperatures. A pool of some sort is often appreciated by the water-loving dog, to splash in or lay belly down in to cool off!

Shade is mandatory when spending time outside. The deep shade of large trees or even your house is wonderful because the ground remains cool. A dog will often scratch up a little depression in the soil as a cool resting spot.

Feet need extra consideration in summer. Concrete and especially asphalt get blistering hot, literally! The rule of thumb goes that if the surface is too hot to hold the back of your hand on for any longer than a few seconds, it is much too hot for your dog’s sensitive paws. Serious injury can occur. There are dog boots available to protect your dog’s paws.

Insects are a blight in summer for our canine companions, too- fleas, ticks, and mosquitos to name a few. There are many non-toxic things to use. Baltic amber collars and therapeutic-grade pure essential oils are very effective. Oils like geranium, lemongrass, citronella, lavender, and cedarwood smell wonderful and are safe for you and your pets!

With just a little thought and small adjustments, you can protect your companions!

Copyright © Krystal L. Beers. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. This article originally appeared on the Highland Glenn Havanese blog.

Breeder Spotlight

We are pleased to feature Natural Rearing cat breeder Meghan Leah Waals of Elysian Bengals in Pennsylvania USA!

While Meghan recently retired from breeding, she is a wealth of knowledge! A published author, she continues to write about natural cat care. Meghan is also the founder of Raw Vibes Pet Food and creator of the newly released course “Bomb Proof Kittens”. Her cats have been raw fed for 15 years and vaccine-free for 8.

NRD: Tell us about your cattery, Meghan - “Elysian Bengals began when I wanted to combine my passion for animals, behavior, genetics, carnivore nutrition, genetic research, writing, and more. This drove me to want to make an impact on the lives of our companion animals on a large scale and contribute to advancements in my breed and many other fields.

Our cattery makes a name for itself and stands out from other catteries because I hold a degree in Psycho-Biology Pre-Veterinary with a minor in Evolutionary Studies, with special interests in genetics and carnivore nutrition.

Our kittens are exposed to over 200 stimuli through an extensive socialization program and receive comprehensive health testing. We also offer the most extensive health guarantees. In addition, we provide an intense adoption process in which I provide weekly updates with pictures and live videos of your kitten, along with an all-inclusive welcome pack.

Our transparency and constant contact make you part of the Elysian Bengals family, with ongoing support through our Premier Kitten Club and Chattery Facebook page. Annually, we host a Secret Santa Paws and produce an Elysian Bengals Calendar and yearbook. We are active in genetic research, TICA cat shows, and we established the TICA Charcoal Pattern Effect Standard.

Finally, we host an informative evidence-based blog and provide mentorship to other breeders.”

NRD: What started you on the NR path? - My cattery has always been NR from the start but I haven’t always been NR. I jumped down the rabbit hole when my first Bengal stopped eating any canned or kibble and I found a raw recipe from Dr. Lisa A. Pierson. Since then I have always fed raw food, which led me to further research nutrition and then vaccinations, pharmaceuticals, and a ton of other topics that also connected with their involvement in the human industries. It was a giant domino effect. One thing led to another and before I knew it all the dots were connected.”

NRD: What is the best thing you’ve seen with NR? - “Essentially none of my cats have ever been sick and they don’t have common issues like dental issues, kidney failure, cancer, obesity, excessive shedding, stinky poop, allergies, etc. “

NRD: Do you feel Natural Rearing breeders are important? - “Absolutely. NR breeders are essential for several reasons. They ensure the raising of healthier animals through responsible breeding and natural rearing practices, which leads to happier owners who experience fewer health and behavior issues with their pets. Additionally, NR breeders are crucial in combating the widespread health problems in today's pet society by prioritizing genetic health and overall well-being through living proof, education, and mentorship.”

Meghan, thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and insights! The NRBC is proud to have you as a member breeder.

For lots of information on raising cats naturally, email Meghan at elysianbengals@icloud.com.

Visit Meghan's Raw Vibes Pet Food online store.

Access Meghan's phenomenal "Bomb Proof Kittens" course here.

Meghan Leah Waals, Owner and Founder of Elysian Bengals and Raw Vibes Pet Food LLC.

Bengal kittens eating an exclusive frankenprey/Prey Model Raw Diet.

Various stimuli kittens are exposed to before they go home.

Essential Oil Profile

By Krystal L. Beers, C.S.A.N.

It’s the time of year that has people running for insect repellent! Fast. There are many effective essential oils for repelling those pesky varmints. So ditch the Deet and go natural!

Are you ready for the list? It’s a long one but they’re tried-and-true, giving you lots of options according to what you have on hand and preferrence:

Patchouli

Frankincense

White Fir

Cedarwood

Juniper

Pine

Eucalyptus

Sandalwood

Melaleuca (tea tree)

Kunzea

Citronella

Lavender

Geranium

Ylang ylang

Lemongrass

Catnip

Peppermint

Basil

Rosemary

Marjoram

Cilantro

Thyme

Lemon

To mix your own spray you’ll need the following: distilled water, one 4-oz. glass spritzer bottle, 2 Tbsp. witch hazel or vodka, ¼ tsp. unscented liquid castille soap (or dish soap), and 50-70 drops of essential oils in total. Mix all ingredients in the bottle, shake to combine. Give it a good shake before use.

A couple of things to remember: keep away from eyes; reapply every so often; if one oil combo doesn’t seem to be effective for you simply try another; and always use a pure grade of essential oil.

Homeopathic Highlight

By Paula Vandervoort

Fading Puppy Syndrome is a critical condition affecting newborn puppies, often leading to rapid decline and death if not promptly addressed. Homeopathic remedies can improve the chances of survival when accompanied by appropriate supportive care.

Identifying Fading Puppy Syndrome: Puppies with Fading Puppy Syndrome may appear lethargic, have a weak suckle reflex, feel cool and less supple, and often separate themselves from the litter. They may appear “hunkered down” or stiffer than littermates. Immediate intervention is crucial.

Homeopathic Approach: Specific homeopathic remedies can be beneficial. The following remedies can be extremely helpful with faders. You can try one remedy at a time, then watch for a positive response within a few minutes. If you have chosen the right remedy, continue to use it. If no positive response is noted, switch to the next best match for the symptoms you are observing. Start with 30C potency remedies.

Abrotanum is particularly useful for puppies experiencing muscle wasting, emaciation, and general weakness.

Aceticum Acidum is used for general weakness, debility, and fatigue, making it a valuable addition to the homeopathic toolkit for Fading Puppy Syndrome

Calcarea Carbonica is particularly useful for puppies that are slow to develop, have weak bones, or show signs of poor nutrition.

Carbo Vegetabilis is useful for puppies with poor circulation, indicated by cold extremities.

Hepar Sulphuris Calcareum (Hepar Sulph) is effective for puppies with infections or abscesses, as it helps to promote healing and reduce inflammation.

Impatiens Glandulifera is used to address stress and anxiety in puppies, which can be a contributing factor to Fading Puppy Syndrome.

Kali Muriaticum (Kali Mur) is beneficial for puppies with sluggish conditions, poor digestion, and thick, white discharges.

Silicea can help with general weakness and poor vitality.

Homeopathic remedies are selected based on the symptoms and evaluated against a rubric of potential remedies. The selected remedy is given; then the breeder watches for improvement to decide if that remedy is correct. With Fading Puppy Syndrome, time is of the essence. Therefore, a blend of appropriate remedies may be the most effective at turning a fader around quickly.  Typically, with blends, expert practitioners combine potencies to create an appropriate entourage effect. Although the above remedies can be used individually in 30C potency, a blend of the above remedies commercially available as Fading Puppy Remedy from The Dog Breeder Store can be remarkably effective.  This blend has been in use for over 50 years with notable success, as it addresses a number of the causes of Fading Puppy Syndrome without the need for trial and error with individual remedies. The “entourage effect” of these eight remedies above has proven that, together, they provide superior results than single remedies used alone.

Additions to your homeopathic toolkit:

In addition, keep these individual remedies on hand for puppies who are struggling.

Arsenicum Album is another homeopathic remedy recommended for puppies showing signs of weakness and coldness.

China Officinalis can help with dehydration and weakness due to fluid loss.

Nux Vomica is another remedy that can assist with digestive issues and general weakness.

Phosphorus is beneficial for puppies with respiratory issues.

Administration: Ensure the puppy is warm before administering any remedy. One drop or pellet touching a mucous membrane is sufficient to dose. The remedy does not need to be swallowed. Place the drops directly into the puppy's mouth or mix a pellet with a small amount of water to “water dose” a pellet. Administer 1-4 drops every 30-60 minutes for the first 12 hours, then every 2-4 hours until resolved.

Supportive Care: Consistent monitoring and maintaining a warm, clean environment are essential.

Alongside homeopathic treatment, ensure the puppy is hydrated and receives adequate nutrition. Tube feeding may be necessary if the puppy cannot suckle. Use a heating pad to keep the puppy warm and provide a clean, stress-free environment. Additionally, rubbing a drop of organic maple syrup on the puppy's gums every couple of hours can help maintain blood sugar levels.

Consultation and Monitoring: Puppies exhibiting Fading Puppy Syndrome should be removed from the litter and placed in a warming box or intensive care unit to ensure the puppy's recovery. Consult with your holistic veterinarian or naturopath to address any underlying health issues that may contribute to Fading Puppy Syndrome.

By integrating homeopathic remedies with diligent care, breeders can enhance the survival rates of puppies affected by Fading Puppy Syndrome. The Dog Breeder Store offers a comprehensive guide and a range of homeopathic products specifically designed to support puppies who are struggling with the symptoms of Fading Puppy Syndrome. This comprehensive approach, combined with supportive veterinary care, can make a significant difference in the health and survival of vulnerable puppies.

Prevention with homeopathy: Fading Puppy Remedy blend can be given as a preventive during pregnancy and may be especially helpful for moms with a history of puppy loss. 

Fading Puppy Remedy can be purchased at Fading Puppy Remedy (thedogbreederstore.com)

Fading Puppy Syndrome educational video can be found at https://youtu.be/l1Y7Dx_rszA?si=ritAE4_cNo_epmaU

Mission Statement

For Natural Rearing breeders of dogs and cats, the Natural Rearing Breeder Connection's mission is to provide an organization offering support, education, information, and increased positive community exposure and to provide an internal referral network.

For the dog/cat owner community, to bring an awareness of the health and well-being benefits of Natural Rearing for your companions.

For both owners and breeders, provide a Referral Network of professional licensed, certified, and/or registered natural animal health practitioners dedicated to caring for dogs and cats naturally.

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Disclaimer:

The views expressed and information obtained in this newsletter, or in the files/links provided, are not to be construed as veterinary advice from the Natural Rearing Breeder Connection or its founders. It is for your information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Our choices are based on personal experience, extensive research, and the advice of our animal health care team. The decisions concerning diet, vaccinations, and how you implement them are yours alone to make. The copyright for any article is held by the original authors, as indicated. Please respect their copyright.